Humanities and Art

Appreciation: An
CHAPTER
1
Introduction
“
” – Dr. Arbert C. Barnes

Hooray to a new academic

year! The journey in this
pandemic has been tough yet MODULE CONTENTS
you made it. New normal has
come, but the learning must
continue. This would be pretty
exciting! As we start digging INPUTS:
through this course pack, you
will start on a bird’s eye view of • Meaning and
this subject Art Appreciation. Importance of
This module develops students Humanities
ability to appreciate, and • Description of Art
Appreciation
critique works of art. Also, this
• The Creation of Arts
course aims to develop
• Functions of Arts
students’ genuine • Purpose of Art
appreciation for Philippine arts • Classifications of Art
by providing them • The Value of Arts in the
opportunities to explore the Educational System
diversity and richness and their
rootedness in Filipino culture.
Intended Learning Outcomes
At the end of Module 1, you should be able to:

a. to understand the nature and function of arts in contemporary

society;
b. Articulate the importance of Humanities and Art Appreciation in
one’s personal life;
c. Gain a general knowledge of the creation and functions of arts;
and;
d. Recognize the various purposes of art as well as its classification
and characteristics.
 A B S T R A C T I O N
Meaning and Importance of
Humanities
Etymologically, the term “Humanities”
is from a Latin word humanus which means
educated. It refers to the learning of arts
such as architecture, dance, literature,
music, painting, theatre, and sculpture
(Sanchez, 2011). They are branches of
knowledge that focuses on the human
opinions, and relationships (Machlis, 2003).
As a branch of learning, the artwork is
considered as the material object while its
creativity and appreciation is the formal
object (Menoy, 2009 & Marcos, et all., 2010).
Likewise, Humanities is more
concerned on how a person expresses
his/her feelings. These feelings can be in
facial manifestations or body movements.
Laughing, crying, clenching our fists, curling
our toes, stretching out our fingers, and
crossing our arms are representations of
humanities (Menoy, 2009).
As a branch of knowledge,
Humanities explores the human conditions
through the use of analytical, critical, or
theoretical methods. These methods are in
the form of ideas and words that help make
our life more meaningful. Moreover,
Humanities can also be the study of how an
individual documented and processed
his/her experiences particularly in
connecting to others (Stanford University,
2016). Imparting humanities as an
academic science is designed to let the
learners (particularly the new generations)
become creative and artistic individuals.
Humanities help the students to connect the
community through art exposure like
museum outings, concerts, theatre
performance, etc. (Marcos, 2010).
Description of Art
Appreciation
When we look around, we see a lot of
things that relate to art. Art can come in the
form of many items such as posters,
paintings, portraits, covers, and more.
People look at art through different ideas
that they want to know more about or may
be studying. Art can show ideas about the
Past, what is currently happening and what
may happen in the future. It can also show
meaning, love, boredom, and creativity
(Ramos, 2012). Art can be meaningful
because of the colors, shapes, and
depictions it can create.
The Creation of Arts
The word “art” is from the Latin word
arti, which means craftsmanship,
inventiveness, mastery of form, skill. It
includes, literature, music, paintings,
photography, sculpture, etc. It serves as an
original record of human needs and
achievements. It usually refers to the so-
called “fine arts” (e.g., graphics, plastic, and
building to the so-called “minor arts”
(everyday, useful, applied and decorative
arts). It is the process of using our senses and
emotions in making creative activities
(Marcos, 2010). It is a human capability to
make things beautiful (e.g., buildings,
illustration, designing, painting, sculpture,
and photography) through the production
of his/her imagination depending on the
preparation, theme, medium, and values
used.
Significantly, the word artist comes
from the French word artiste and the
Spanish artista, which means “performer”. It
is someone who creates art that is merely
trades and professions by which different
people make their livings (Giones, 2004)
Artists are usually referred to as those
who create within a context of the fine arts
such as acting, dancing, drawing,
filmmaking, painting, sculpture, writing,
photography, and music. They are those
who use imagination and skill to construct
works that may be judged to have aesthetic
importance. Creativity is a characteristic of
an artist that progressed in the extent of
his/her life to express feelings. These are all
processed in three significant phases
namely: Creation of Forms; Creation of
Ideas; and Creation of the Materials
(Sanchez, 2011).
A. Creation of Ideas. Artists are usually
impressionable persons. They used their
experiences as their basis in the making of
dance, picture, a poem, or a play or a
song. For example, a composer may write a
song on the developing romance between
a man and a woman, or on the pains of a
broken-hearted.
B. Creations of the Materials. The artist uses
different materials or mediums to give form
to an idea. For example, a painter uses
pigments; a sculptor uses wood, metal or
stone; an author uses words; and a
composer who uses musical sounds to
determine the notes.
C. Creations of Forms. There are diverse
forms used by the artists in expressing their
ideas. it is a medium of artistic expression
recognized as fine art. This form is used to
explain the physical nature of the artwork
like in metal sculpture, an oil painting, etc.
Functions of Arts
1. Individual Function. The artists perform
arts because of the passion of their
respective art forms. A singer presents a
concert for free because of his
advocacy and the love of singing. For
example, Regine Velasquez (Asia’s
Songbird) is well-known for possessing
extensive vocal range.
2. Social Factor. Man associates with others
through his art performance that arouses
social consciousness. Example of this
association are the choral singing, group
dancing, public art exhibits and other
practices.
3. Economic Functions. Arts are emerging
as a potent force in the economic life of
people assumes as essential role as a
direct and indirect contributor to state
economies. Example of this is by
generating economic vitality in under-
performing regions through crafts,
tourism, and cultural attractions.
4. Political Functions. Art provides a forum
for ideas that will lead to employment,
prestige, status, and power. During
election period, for example, the
candidates created their artworks
(poster) which expresses their
propaganda, agendas and political
views about making a stable society.
5. Historical Functions. Art is an essential
technique for information to be recorded
and preserved. It serves to document or
reconstruct historical figure and events.
Most arts that are in Museums, for example,
are filled with amazing stories about the
world most excellent and most creative
people who brought us the treasures. By
looking at a work of art’s colors, materials,
and symbolism, we can learn about the
story and culture that produced it in the
past.
6. Cultural Functions. Art is in articulation and
transmission of new information and values.
Example, when you think of Manila, you
probably think of Fort Santiago, Luneta Park,
and its world-renowned churches, or the
famous Intramuros.
7. Physical Functions. Buildings are artistically
designed and constructed to protect their
occupants and make their life inside more
meaningful. Architects, Industrial and
Graphic Designers, and Interior Decorators
share responsibility in building environment
that balance forms and functions.
8. Aesthetic Functions. Any artwork means
beauty. It is visual spice for gracefully
adorned interiors and can bring out the
most elegant features of different décor
elements. It reasonably reproduced visual
images which communicate through
fantastic persuasions and meaningful words.
Purpose of Arts
creativity or imagination is the primary
basis of art. Art is created when an artist
produces a stimulating experience that is
considered by his audience to have artistic
merit. The artwork is the visual expression of
an idea or experience of an artist, through
the use of a medium (Frank, 2011). It allows
expression of the individuality of the artist.
Through artistic endeavors, we can share
what is important to us with others and can
learn about the values of feelings of those
sharing art with us. Some purposes of art are
the following (Marcos et al., 2011).
1. Create Beauty. Art is an expression of our
thoughts, emotions, and intuitions. It is the
communication of concepts that cannot
be faithfully portrayed by words alone.
The Artist has considered nature as the
standard of beauty. The example of
beauty can be in a snowy mountain
scene, and the art is the photograph of it
shown to the family.
2. Provide Decoration. Artworks are used to
create a pleasing environment. It is
intended to beautify things to please and
amuse the viewers through its colors and
patterns.
3. Reveal Truth. Artwork helped to pursue
truth and attempted to reveal about how
the world works. It is a kind of language that
allows artists to send a message to the souls
of the recipients that help change their
attitudes, their sensibility, and their ethics.
4. Express Values. Arts can illuminate our
inner lives and enrich emotional world.
Through art, the artist will be encouraged to
develop their creativity, challenge, and
communication skills. W also promotes self-
esteem and wellness.
5. Commemorate Experience. Art serves to
convey the personal experiences of an artist
and record his impression in his work.
6. Create Harmony. An artist makes use of
the composition to put order in the diverse
content of his work.
Classifications of Arts
Many changes in the arts took place
during the early modern period. Its
classification can be on many
characteristics, including form, shape
function, use, or social context. Works of art
are classified in many different ways,
namely:
1. Visual Arts. These arts are those forms
that create works which are primarily
visual (forms perceived by the eyes). The
man can take the beauty of nature
through a piece of paper so that other
people may take time appreciating the
captured image. Examples of these arts
include:
a. Painting. This form of visual art aims to
evoke an emotion from the viewers. It is
practice by applying colors or other media
to a surface with a brush or other objects.
b. Sculpture. This form of visual arts
characterized as the art of representing an
imagined or observed objects in hard
materials such as glass, metals, or wood in
three dimensions.
c. Architecture. This form of art provides us
the physical structure we lived.
It is a profound expression of human culture
in a particular period, and it will endure and
outlive us in forms of monuments that future
generations will study and strive to
understand
d. Drawing. This form of art enhances the
way we see the world around and
conditions us to capture its details in a two
dimensional medium. This has been a critical
element of art throughout history and in the
contemporary art world.
e. Photography. This form of art is a process
of creating portraits by recording radiation
on a radiation-sensitive medium, such as
electronic image sensors or photographic
films.
2. Performing Arts. These arts are those forms
in which the artists used his/her own body,
face, and presence as a medium. Examples
of these arts are as follows:
a. Theatre (Drama) - This form of art uses
performers to present the experience of a
real or imagined event before a live
audience in a specific place and time.
b. Music - This form of art helps to express
our mood and feel the way through our
emotions and ideas. Based on a study,
different types of music may be suitable to
different moods though classical music is still
recommended as the most calming music
option.
c. Dance - This form of art expressed through
body movement which entails social
interaction, or presented in a spiritual or
performance setting.
d. Film - This form of art allows us to explore
the complexities of the human situation. This
is used to work out our emotions, to make
history comes alive, science is explained,
and literary works are brought into life.
e. Installation Art - The fundamental nature
of this form of art is the participation of the
spectators. In this work of art, viewers
become active and navigate the work in
an environment that they can experience
visually. It also has the capacity of passing
on particular information about any
significant event around the world and
interactively represents documentary issues.
f. Opera - This form of art helps to tell stories
through music. This is also performed with a
full orchestra composed of the various
musical instrument sections. In this art form, and actions.
singers and musicians perform a dramatic
work by combining text (called a libretto) 5. Arts develop students' attitudes because it
and musical score. teaches self-discipline, reinforces self-
esteem, fosters the thinking skills and
g. Stagecraft - This form of art is a technical creativity and values the importance of
aspect of theatrical production. This teamwork and cooperation.
includes constructing and arranging
scenery, hanging and focusing of lighting,
the design of costumes, makeup, and
procurement of props, stage management A C T I V I T I E S
and recording and mixing of sound.

3. Literary Arts. These arts centered on A. Musical Strokes

creative writing and other composition
processes which intended to read. These
include prose and poetry (e.g., novels, short
stories, sonnet, ballad, epic, and essay)
The Value of Arts in the
Educational System
Knowing and practicing the arts
disciplines are fundamental to the
development of the minds and spirits of the
students (National Art Education
Association, 1994). Arts are inseparable from
education. When early humans drew
images on the walls of the caves, the
artworks have been the means of recording
human experiences and of making sense of
the world. It educates us on how early
people lived and survived. Thus, without the
skills in the arts, no one can claim that
he/she is professionally trained.
There are several reasons for the arts
to be included in an educational system. It is
evident that involvement in the arts has
been shown to help students in their
academic, personal, and social
development. Listed below are other details
for this assertion.
1. You are going to listen to a particular
music you really like. Think of the feelings
that the musician was trying to convey.
You are going to draw or sketch in a
white bond paper the emotions you hear
from the music. Choose different colors in
the making of your art.
2. In a 1 minute video, share/talk about
your artwork. It is interesting to see how
you perceive the meaning of music and
how you show feelings in art.
B. Catchy and Creative Art-Slogans
Art-Slogans are powerful marketing
tools that can motivate your clients to
support your brand. It is an advertising tag-
line or phrase that advertisers create to
express the importance and benefits of their
product visually.
Make your own catchy and creative
art-logo and slogan for advertisement. Use
one/eighth (1/8) size of illustration board in
making the art-slogan.

1. Arts are worth studying because it serves

to connect our imaginations with the most
profound questions of human existence.

2. Arts are always used because it helps to

present issues and ideas to teach, persuade,
and entertain people. 3. Arts are integral to
every person's daily life because it helps
shape our spiritual, political, economic,
cultural, and social environments.

4. Arts are refreshing because it offers

unique sources of enjoyment and it
investigates relationships between thought
 A N A L Y S I S

1. Do you consider yourself as an artist? Justify your answer.

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2. How is a work of art produced by an artist? Discuss the process of production.

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3. Which of the following classification of art (Visual, Performing, Literary) do you

think you belong? Why?
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4. Why is art also termed as “High Culture”?

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